Wrinkles occur naturally with age as the skin thins and becomes less elastic, especially around the eyes. They can also occur with sun exposure, smoking and repeated facial expressions. Although wrinkles are a natural part of aging, using certain products can diminish the appearance of fine lines and can also help in the prevention of new wrinkles.
Step 1
Avoid the sun when possible. Sunlight is one of the biggest contributors of aging skin. Repeated sun exposure can damage the skin, causing unwanted wrinkles, liver spots and skin cancer. Avoiding the sun will not reduce current wrinkles, but it will help improve skin by preventing new wrinkles. Protect your skin, especially your face, when you're out in the sun by sitting in shady areas, wearing a hat or large sunglasses and wearing sunscreen. The National Institute of Aging recommends avoiding the sun at its strongest hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and to wear SPF 15 or higher every day.
Step 2
Exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation or resurfacing helps to eliminate small wrinkles by removing the top layer of skin and allowing for new growth. Use a textured material or a gentle abrasive scrub that contains exfoliating agents, such as micro-beads. Avoid cleansers with apricot seeds or crushed nuts or shells as these can cause microscopic scratches.
Step 3
Use alpha-hyrdoxy acids (AHAs). Similar to using an exfoliating scrub, these natural acids help to shed the top layer of skin cells revealing a fresh layer of new skin. Higher concentrations of AHA also has been shown to stimulate collagen production, especially around the eyes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), recent studies demonstrated that using AHA with at least 8 percent acid concentrations had the most skin improvements. Common side effects of using AHA include burning, itching, and increased sensitivity to sun and it's recommended to avoid using more than 10 percent acid concentrations.
Step 4
Apply tretinoin twice per week. Tretinoin, more commonly knows as Retin-A, is the only FDA-approved topical medication for treating wrinkles. It helps stimulate collagen production and helps reduce fine lines and large wrinkles, liver spots and rough skin. Common side effects of Retin-A include redness, burning and itching and can last up to three months. Retin-A is only available in prescription form, however many over-the-counter products contain a similar compound known as Retinol which has been shown effective and has fewer side effects. The FDA does warns that the use of Retinol over the counter is not regulated and some may not contain any actual Retinol.
Step 5
Use a daily moisturizer. Moisturizing will not reduce the wrinkles themselves, but it can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by helping the skin retain its moisture. Under-eye creams can be particularly beneficial because the delicate skin under the eyes does not naturally produce much of the oil that helps keep it soft. Adding moisture to this under eye area will help soften the skin and can reduce the appearance of lines. Avoid rubbing this soft area under the eyes as this can cause more wrinkles. Instead, use a soft tapping motion to gently apply creams and moisturizers.
Things You'll Need
- Hat
- Sunscreen SPF 15
- Abrasive scrub
- Moisturizer
- Alpha-hydroxy acid
- Retinoids
Member Comments